Towel rack



TOWEL RACK Feb. m, 1936.

Filed June '7, 1934 Anion LLlIhmurskl.

Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention pertains to towel racks, and has primarily for its object to improve devices of this character by the provision of an exceedingly simple and inexpensive rack, that 5 effectively grips the towel, and which normally supports the towel in close proximity to the wall or cabinet, but permits the same to be extended therefrom toallow free circulation of air past the towel for quick drying, the rack being otherwise free to swing to facilitate use of the towel.

Incidental to the foregoing, a more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of a pivotal rack bar, which may normally swing in its supporting brackets, and by shifting, the bar may be locked in horizontal projected position.

A further detail object resides in pivotally conmeeting the ends of the rack bar in keyhole slots provided in the supporting brackets, whereby the flattened ends of the bar are free to rotate in the rounded portion of the slots and are held in the straight restricted portions.

A still further object resides in a spring-urged clamping rod for engagement with the rack bar to firmly grip the towel, and prevent shifting during use, or accidental displacement.

Lastly, it is an object to provide resilient means for both urging the clamping rod into engagement with the rack bar, and latching the same in open position to permit shifting or placement of a towel,

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a rack constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention, parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the structural features; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan, with parts broken away and in section.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral I designates the end brackets, which are secured to a wall,

cabinet, or bar, in spaced relation by means of screws 2, or any other suitable fastening means. The outer ends of the brackets I are provided with horizontal keyhole slots 3, the restricted portions of the slots extending inwardly from the 5 outer ends of the brackets, as best shown in Figure 1.

Connected to the brackets l is a U-shaped rack bar 4 for reception of the towel T, the ends of the rack bar terminating in flattened pintles 0* 5 which project into the bayonet slots 3. Obviously, when the pintles 5 are positioned in the rounded portions of the slots 3, the rack bar 4 is free to swing in any direction, as indicated by the dotted arrow in Figure 1.

Normally, the bar will depend from the supporting brackets l, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, thus positioning the towel closely adjacent the wall or support where it is out of the way, and at the same time use of the towel is made convenient in that the rack bar is free to swing outwardly and upwardly to facilitate manipulation of the towel.

In the event that the towel becomes moistened or wet and it is desired to dry the same quickly, the rack bar 4 is swung to a horizontal position and shifted rearwardly to set the pintles 5 in the restricted portions of the slots 3, as best shown in Figure 1. The rack bar 4 is then held in horizontal projected position, spaced a sufficient distance from the wall or support to permit the free circulation of air past the towel, thereby effecting quick drying of the same.

Various means may be provided to prevent shifting of the towel on the rack bar 4, without eifecting the novel features of the invention as heretofore described. However, one simple form has been illustrated, in which a U-shaped gripping rod 6 has its ends terminating in pintles 1 for pivotal connection in openings provided in the side arms 8 of the rack bar.

In order to urge the gripping rod 6 into engagement with the towel on the rack bar, coil springs 9 are provided, which surround the lateral ends of the gripping rod, one end of the springs being inserted into openings in the arms 8 of the rack bar, while the other ends are projected through openings in the arms of the gripping rod 6, as best illustrated in Figure 2.

The springs 9 adjacent their forward ends, 50 which project into the gripping bar 6, are provided with bowed offset portions H), which, through the tension of the spring, normally project beyond the lateral arms 8, as best shown in Figure 2, the loops being positioned below the arms when the gripping rod is in normal position engaging the towel on the rack.

When the gripping rod is swung upwardly on its pintles I against the tension of the springs 9, the bows ID are cammed inwardly and pass over the arms 8 to engage the top of the same and releasably latch the gripping bar in elevated position to facilitate either shifting of the towel or allow ready removal and replacement. The gripping bar is then forced downwardly, during which operation the bows l snap over the arms 8, and the springs 9 then function normally to cause gripping of the towel between the rod 8 and rack bar 4.

While it is not essential, in order to provide a friction grip and at the same time prevent pinching or mutilation of the towel, the gripping bar 6 may be covered with a tubular rubber shield II. On the other hand, the shield Il may be placed on the rack bar 4 and serve the same purpose.

From the foregoing explanation considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be readily seen that a comparatively simple, inexpensive and efficient towel rack has been provided, which is normally out of the way, free to swing during use of the towel, and which may be projected for quick drying of the towel, as heretofore explained.

Also, while the towel is securely held upon the rack to prevent accidental displacement or with drawal, it will be appreciated that an exceedingly simple means has been provided for latching the gripping means in open position to permit replacement and shifting of the towel when desired.

I claim:

1. A towel rack comprising, a pair of supporting brackets provided in their ends with horizontal keyhole slots, a U-shaped rack bar having its ends terminating in lateral flattened pintles projecting into said keyhole slots for pivotal movement in one portion of the slots and locking engagement against pivotal movement in the other portion of said slots.

2. A towel rack comprising, a pair of supporting brackets, a U-shaped rack bar shiftably connected to said supporting brackets to permit pivotal movement in one position of the bar and to hold the same against pivotal movement in the other position, a U-shaped clamping rod pivotally connected to the rack bar, and resilient means for urging the clamping rod into engagement with the rack bar.

3. A towel rack comprising, a pair of supporting brackets, a U-shaped rack bar shiftably connected to said brackets to permit pivotal movement of the bar in one position and to hold the bar against pivotal movement in the other position, a U-shaped clamping rod pivotally connected to the rack bar, and resilient means for both urging the clamping rod into engagement with the rack bar and for latching the clamping rod in open position.

4. A towel rack comprising, a pair of supporting brackets provided with horizontal keyhole slots in their outer ends, a U-shaped rack bar having its side arms terminating in laterally projected flattened pintles projecting into said keyhole slots to permit pivotal movement of the rack bar in one position and to hold the same against pivotal movement in the other position, a U-shaped clamping rod pivotally connected to the arms of the rack bar for engagement with the rack bar to clamp a towel thereon, coil springs disposed between the arms of the rack bar and clamping rod to normally urge the clamping rod into engagement with the rack bar, and means formed on said springs for releasably latching the clamping rod in open position.

ANTON J. CHMURSKI. 

